Just Breathe. Given the craziness of these times, a good friend of ours in Great Britain asked me to revive a post that I periodically did when I was hiking the Appalachian Trail. Coincidentally, it was two years ago today that I stepped off on that long walk. Now more than ever, every now and then we all need to simply quiet our minds, and just breathe. #justbreathe #bewell

Just Breathe. Given the craziness of these times, a good friend of ours in Great Britain asked me to revive a post that I periodically did when I was hiking the Appalachian Trail. Coincidentally, it was two years ago today that I stepped off on that long walk. Now more than ever, every now and then we all need to simply quiet our minds, and just breathe. #justbreathe #bewell...

The Next Thing...Sorta. A funny thing happened as I was ruminating about The Next Thing: I landed a role in a wonderful movie - "The Funeral Photographer." Mark Strauss, a dear friend of mine, wrote the sceenplay for this short thriller, and on a whim I auditioned for a role, any role. And somehow ended up being cast in a principal role. Here are a couple of shots from the set. Given that I had no prior acting experience, I was a bit anxious about this, but found it all to be an incredible experience, made so by the wonderfully supportive and patient crew and fellow cast members. A big thank you to all! #thenextthingsorta #thefuneralphotographer #actingdebut #actingswansong

The Next Thing...Sorta. A funny thing happened as I was ruminating about The Next Thing: I landed a role in a wonderful movie - "The Funeral Photographer." Mark Strauss, a dear friend of mine, wrote the sceenplay for this short thriller, and on a whim I auditioned for a role, any role. And somehow ended up being cast in a principal role. Here are a couple of shots from the set. Given that I had no prior acting experience, I was a bit anxious about this, but found it all to be an incredible experience, made so by the wonderfully supportive and patient crew and fellow cast members. A big thank you to all! #thenextthingsorta #thefuneralphotographer #actingdebut #actingswansong...

The Next Thing - Still Contemplating. First, I want to thank everyone for all of your great ideas as to what I should consider as my next endeavor. Roughly 70 folks shared ideas through Instagram, Facebook, texting me, email, calling me, and chatting with me on the street. Thoughts ranged from climbing Mount Everest, to hiking another long trail like the Pacific Crest Trail, to experiencing every Michelin Three-Star restaurant in the United States. By the way, there are 14 of them, including two in Chicago. But the jury is still out as I continue to mull over the myriad of wonderful suggestions. Given that I do not plan to undertake whatever might be next until 2021, I have plenty of time to decide and plan. Again, thank you so much for your wonderful ideas, and please keep those cards and letters coming in! 🙂 #thenextthing #stillcontemplating #mullingaway

The Next Thing - Still Contemplating. First, I want to thank everyone for all of your great ideas as to what I should consider as my next endeavor. Roughly 70 folks shared ideas through Instagram, Facebook, texting me, email, calling me, and chatting with me on the street. Thoughts ranged from climbing Mount Everest, to hiking another long trail like the Pacific Crest Trail, to experiencing every Michelin Three-Star restaurant in the United States. By the way, there are 14 of them, including two in Chicago. But the jury is still out as I continue to mull over the myriad of wonderful suggestions. Given that I do not plan to undertake whatever might be next until 2021, I have plenty of time to decide and plan. Again, thank you so much for your wonderful ideas, and please keep those cards and letters coming in! 🙂 #thenextthing #stillcontemplating #mullingaway...

Query: The Next Thing? It has been a little over a year since I finished my last "thing," a six-month-thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I have to admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed the downtime, even taking into account my knee-replacement surgery and subsequent rehab, both resulting from the aforementioned walk. The best part of the break: spending time with Laura, family and friends, and especially, our first grandchild, Sienna!
Interestingly, during this long break I have frequently been asked: "What's next?" I am sincerely gratified by the interest shown in my endeavors, and must admit that it has gotten me thinking again about "the next thing." So as I mull this over, I would be interested if you have any ideas that you wouldn't mind sharing as to what my next thing might be. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing what you come up with! #thenextthing #newchallenge #pushingtheenvelope

Query: The Next Thing? It has been a little over a year since I finished my last "thing," a six-month-thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I have to admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed the downtime, even taking into account my knee-replacement surgery and subsequent rehab, both resulting from the aforementioned walk. The best part of the break: spending time with Laura, family and friends, and especially, our first grandchild, Sienna! Interestingly, during this long break I have frequently been asked: "What's next?" I am sincerely gratified by the interest shown in my endeavors, and must admit that it has gotten me thinking again about "the next thing." So as I mull this over, I would be interested if you have any ideas that you wouldn't mind sharing as to what my next thing might be. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing what you come up with! #thenextthing #newchallenge #pushingtheenvelope...

One Year. October 5, 2019. Today marks the one-year anniversary of summiting Mt. Katahdin in Maine and completing my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. As it so happens, Laura and I are in Barnard, VT visiting friends who live only a short distance from the trail. I did a much needed zero at Pam and Stan's home when I came through last year. What better way to commemorate the day than to go for a stroll on the trail on a beautiful, fall day. #oneyear #summitday #timeflies #appalachiantrail #2018appalachiantrail

One Year. October 5, 2019. Today marks the one-year anniversary of summiting Mt. Katahdin in Maine and completing my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. As it so happens, Laura and I are in Barnard, VT visiting friends who live only a short distance from the trail. I did a much needed zero at Pam and Stan's home when I came through last year. What better way to commemorate the day than to go for a stroll on the trail on a beautiful, fall day. #oneyear #summitday #timeflies #appalachiantrail #2018appalachiantrail...

New Plate. When I returned to civilian life after completing my A.T. trek last year, I decided to change my Michigan license plate and kicked around a number of possibilities before settling on the attached. Any thoughts on the relevance of the license plate number? And for those thru-hikers in other states, I think that there is a pretty good chance that this number is available if you are interested. #2190.9 #2018appalachiantrail #nationalparks #backpacking #hiking @appalachiantrail

New Plate. When I returned to civilian life after completing my A.T. trek last year, I decided to change my Michigan license plate and kicked around a number of possibilities before settling on the attached. Any thoughts on the relevance of the license plate number? And for those thru-hikers in other states, I think that there is a pretty good chance that this number is available if you are interested. #2190.9 #2018appalachiantrail #nationalparks #backpacking #hiking @appalachiantrail...

The Reunion. Earlier this week, Laura and I were visited by two fellow Appalachian Trail thru-hikers: Easy Bake and Wingman. It was wonderful seeing them again, and to commemorate the reunion we did a nice hike through the dunes at Warren Dunes State Park. This is where I did a fair amount of training before my trek on the A.T. last year. And while I'm still in recovery mode after my knee-replacement surgery a little over eight weeks ago, I did manage to get to the top of Tower Hill and beyond, albeit bringing up the rear. Our reward for the morning hike: ice cream. It was just like old times. #thereunion #oldfriends #warrendunesstatepark

The Reunion. Earlier this week, Laura and I were visited by two fellow Appalachian Trail thru-hikers: Easy Bake and Wingman. It was wonderful seeing them again, and to commemorate the reunion we did a nice hike through the dunes at Warren Dunes State Park. This is where I did a fair amount of training before my trek on the A.T. last year. And while I'm still in recovery mode after my knee-replacement surgery a little over eight weeks ago, I did manage to get to the top of Tower Hill and beyond, albeit bringing up the rear. Our reward for the morning hike: ice cream. It was just like old times. #thereunion #oldfriends #warrendunesstatepark...

Before and After. Late in the morning of April 3rd I checked into Skokie Hospital for full, left-knee replacement surgery to correct something that was about 40 years in the making and culminated with with my 2,190 mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. The surgery was done by a wonderful surgical team and took approximately 90 mintues. Then within two hours of clearing post op, a crack physical therapist was taking me through the paces of a series of exercises, then had me up and moving down the hall for a short promenade. After a fitful night's sleep, the physical therapist had me up again taking on a more extensive series of rehab exercises, which included various, seated leg drills, climbing stairs, and attempting a sub-four minute, 40-feet "sprint.". All previous records are still intact, and footage of the trek, along with some other action shots, are attached. Then approximately 24 hours after I cleared post op, we gathered my thing's and I was sent on my way. Now the real work begins. #beforeandafter #thelongwalkback #realworkbegins

Before and After. Late in the morning of April 3rd I checked into Skokie Hospital for full, left-knee replacement surgery to correct something that was about 40 years in the making and culminated with with my 2,190 mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. The surgery was done by a wonderful surgical team and took approximately 90 mintues. Then within two hours of clearing post op, a crack physical therapist was taking me through the paces of a series of exercises, then had me up and moving down the hall for a short promenade. After a fitful night's sleep, the physical therapist had me up again taking on a more extensive series of rehab exercises, which included various, seated leg drills, climbing stairs, and attempting a sub-four minute, 40-feet "sprint.". All previous records are still intact, and footage of the trek, along with some other action shots, are attached. Then approximately 24 hours after I cleared post op, we gathered my thing's and I was sent on my way. Now the real work begins. #beforeandafter #thelongwalkback #realworkbegins...

Paying the Piper. A little over a year ago, on March 25, 2018, I embarked on my thru-hike of the 2,190 mile Appalachian Trail. On April 3rd of last year I hiked 11.3 miles to a campsite at Betty Creek Gap, and was 97 miles along the trail, three miles short of hitting my first mileage milestone. Tomorrow, April 3rd, one year later, I will be doing a different walk, this one from the car into the hospital for my full, left-knee replacement surgery. The first image that I attached is of my left knee, and as you can see, the cartilage on the inside of the knee has vacated the premises, and it's pretty much bone on bone. That might explain why my left knee was swollen, stiff and sore for the last five months and 1,800 miles of the hike. For old times' sake, I've also attached my video at the start of the trek, along with a couple of other shots. So another journey of sorts begins tomorrow, and we'll just have to see how it all works out. Put it on the board, Murray! #payingthepiper #hopalong #collateraldamage

Paying the Piper. A little over a year ago, on March 25, 2018, I embarked on my thru-hike of the 2,190 mile Appalachian Trail. On April 3rd of last year I hiked 11.3 miles to a campsite at Betty Creek Gap, and was 97 miles along the trail, three miles short of hitting my first mileage milestone. Tomorrow, April 3rd, one year later, I will be doing a different walk, this one from the car into the hospital for my full, left-knee replacement surgery. The first image that I attached is of my left knee, and as you can see, the cartilage on the inside of the knee has vacated the premises, and it's pretty much bone on bone. That might explain why my left knee was swollen, stiff and sore for the last five months and 1,800 miles of the hike. For old times' sake, I've also attached my video at the start of the trek, along with a couple of other shots. So another journey of sorts begins tomorrow, and we'll just have to see how it all works out. Put it on the board, Murray! #payingthepiper #hopalong #collateraldamage...

Diamonds and Just Breathe. On a recent walk along the beach near our home on a chilly morning, I found pieces of ice that looked like diamonds strewn on the sand. While wonderful to walk along and look down at the various collections of light, what was even more wonderful was to simply stand and watch, and listen to, the waves roll in that had carried the glass to the beach. It is sometimes hard to believe that this is a lake and not an ocean. #justbreathe #diamondsonthebeach #piecesoflight

Diamonds and Just Breathe. On a recent walk along the beach near our home on a chilly morning, I found pieces of ice that looked like diamonds strewn on the sand. While wonderful to walk along and look down at the various collections of light, what was even more wonderful was to simply stand and watch, and listen to, the waves roll in that had carried the glass to the beach. It is sometimes hard to believe that this is a lake and not an ocean. #justbreathe #diamondsonthebeach #piecesoflight...